Papillomas on the labia are a rather delicate problem that causes dissatisfaction with oneself and a decrease in the quality of sex life. They are difficult to hide, they can cause discomfort during intercourse, so papillomas should be removed. In addition, growth of the genitals can in some cases be a dangerous risk of developing cancer.
Causes of the formation of papillomas
Papillomas on the labia or genital warts are a consequence of infection with the human papillomavirus. In total, there are more than 100 strains of this virus that differ in the type of neoplasms and the degree of risk of developing oncology.
The virus enters the body mainly through sexual contact due to a decrease in immunity. At the same time, a man who has infected a woman may not have visible signs of the presence of the virus, as papillomas in men do not always occur on the skin.
A decrease in immunity occurs on the background of recently transmitted infectious diseases, lack of vitamins or chronic stress. Papillomas on the labia can be due to a decrease in local immunity due to various inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genitals, including thrush and bacterial vaginosis. At the same time, it is enough for infection to use other people's personal hygiene products, so that after a while unaesthetic growths appear on the labia.
Despite the fact that the virus is transmitted from one person to another, the reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the labia in women are as follows:
- decreased immunity after ARVI, pneumonia, influenza or tonsillitis;
- vaginal infections;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene;
- stress;
- unbalanced diet;
- the presence of a chronic focus of infection in the body;
- promiscuous sex.
All of these factors lead to a decrease in immunity, both generally and locally. As a result, the body becomes susceptible to various adverse effects and cannot resist the human papillomavirus.
Quite often the virus does not manifest itself, limited by human immunity. This is only true if the person is completely healthy. Then the virus can be asymptomatic in the body for a long time. The formation of papillomas will occur on the background of a decrease in immunity. If this does not happen in the coming years, the body can cope with the virus alone, but self-healing usually takes at least 18 months.
What do papillomas on the genitals look like?
How the infection on a woman's labia manifests itself depends on several factors:
- type of virus;
- the concentration of the virus in the body;
- localization of growths.
The formation of papillomas on the labia is caused by exposure to oncogenic or conditionally oncogenic strains of the virus (16, 18, 31, 32, 45 and other types). It is easy to understand what such papillomas on the labia look like, knowing what condyloma is. These are small papillae with jagged edges that rise above the surface of the mucosa. They usually do not differ in color or are slightly lighter than mucous membranes. Manifestations of papillomavirus on the labia that provoke the development of genital warts can spread to a woman's perineum, vulva and vagina.
Condyloma is always formed only on the mucous membranes. Papillomas on the inner labia in women do not appear, they form only in areas with a thin epidermis.
Papillomas are small balls on the leg that rise above the skin. They have smooth edges with the correct shape, may be slightly lighter or darker than the rest of the skin. When pressed, papillomas on the labia do not hurt, under the fingers the homogeneous structure of the growth is felt. This type of neoplasm occurs in the groin folds and on the labia majora.
Almost any of the known methods are used to remove papillomas on the labia, as the risk of burns or deep damage to the epidermis is minimal. Treatment of papillomas on the labia is performed in a comprehensive manner as such growths are potentially dangerous.
Warts can form in the following areas:
- small labia;
- vulva;
- vagina;
- Cervix;
- anal opening;
- steps;
- the urethra.
The photo of papilloma on the labia does not differ from the photos of growth on other parts of the body, while papillomas or condylomas in the vagina and vagina are difficult to notice alone.
The formation of papilloma on the labia during pregnancy is associated with a decrease in immunity. In this case, timely treatment of the consequences of HPV plays an important role, otherwise there is a risk of infection of the baby as it passes through the birth canal.
Why are papillomas dangerous?
Sexual contact and the human papillomavirus on the labia in women are directly related. First, there is a risk of transmission of the virus to the sexual partner upon contact with the affected mucosa. Second, papillomas and condylomas can be damaged by friction during intercourse, which is accompanied by pain. There is a risk of infection with papilloma while it becomes inflamed and may begin to degenerate into cancer.
There are cases where a woman due to repeated injuries has a large papilloma on the labia. No woman is insured against such a risk. Large plants are very dangerous and should be removed first.
Papillomas on the lining of the labia and in the vagina can lead to the development of cervical cancer. This is due to the activity of papillomavirus, which is manifested by excessive division of epithelial cells on the labia and other parts of the mucosa. In this case, the damage to the cells of the cervix develops in several stages. First, erosion is formed due to HPV on the labia, then it is transformed into dysplasia, which is a precursor to cancer. Lack of timely treatment of dysplasia leads to the development of cervical cancer.
It should be understood that any papillomas on the mucous membranes of the labia are a potential danger. The papilloma itself can degenerate into cancer and not just provoke cervical oncology. Signs of malignant papilloma are an increase in growth size, pain and itching, discharge with an unpleasant odor from the growth body and black skin in the affected area. If you notice such symptoms, consult a doctor as soon as possible - an oncologist, gynecologist or dermatovenerologist.
Treatment and removal of papillomas
How to treat papillomas on the labia depends on their number and size. It is not recommended to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor who will tell you in detail what to do to remove and prevent papillomas from reappearing on the labia.
Getting rid of papillomas on the labia should be consistent. First, the activity of the virus is suppressed, then the growth itself is removed, and if necessary, immunostimulatory therapy is performed. To accurately determine the course of treatment, a PCR analysis should be passed, which shows the degree of activity and concentration of the virus, and also allows you to determine its strain.
If a woman is found to have a potentially dangerous strain of the virus, 16 or 18, complex treatment is necessary. In this case, each removed papilloma is sent for histological analysis, and a complete examination of the cervix is performed for changes in the epithelium.
How to remove papillomas on the labia depends on the exact location. Skin neoplasms are removed in every available way - from surgical to folk. This is because the skin on the labia majora is thick enough, so there are rarely complications after removal. It is fair to say that formations on the labia majora in most cases do not pose a health hazard and do not cause cancer.
Removal of genital warts on the mucous membranes is performed using either laser exposure or the radio wave method. These two methods are considered the most gentle, while not clogging the vessels that feed the growth, so the risk of bleeding is minimal. When removing neoplasms from the cervix or vagina, a histological analysis is required to rule out the onset of the pathological process.
You should consult your doctor about how to remove papillomas on the labia. If the analysis showed a high concentration of the virus in the body, there is a risk of regeneration of genital warts, therefore, complex therapy is performed, including three phases.
- After determining the strain of the virus, the woman is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory treatment. This is necessary to suppress the virus and minimize the risk of papilloma regeneration.
- After drug treatment, which on average takes several weeks, papillomas are removed using the chosen method and agreed with the doctor. Laser removal or radio wave method is recommended.
- Some time after the removal of the growths, the analysis should be repeated. If the concentration of the virus is still high, another course of treatment is prescribed.
The drugs used to treat papillomas are available in the form of tablets and ointments. Antiviral ointments with immunomodulatory properties are recommended for the treatment of papillomas on the skin. If the growth appears on the mucous membranes, it is indicated to take pills.
As a rule, after the removal of papillomas and drug treatment, the body heals on its own after a few months or years. To avoid papilloma recovery, a woman must follow the hygiene rules, maintain her own immunity and avoid unprotected intercourse.